This Month's Fare

Firefighters Grill With Kikkoman Teriyaki And Win Big For Charities!!

Firefighters are famous for their cooking. Especially when it comes to firing up the grill! This summer, they got to show their stuff at the FIRST-EVER Kikkoman Teriyaki Firehouse Recipe Cook-offs.

Firefighters from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Minneapolis were asked to enter their best grilling recipes using Kikkoman's teriyaki products and to win big bucks for their favorite charities. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, firefighter's created recipes with Kikkoman's newest line of premium sauces named the Kikkoman Teriyaki Takumi Collection. Minneapolis firefighters were asked to use the sauce that started it all — Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce — the original bottled teriyaki sauce.

The competition was not easy…firefighters were limited to only five ingredients, including the teriyaki products. Recipe entries were judged for uniqueness, product usage, creativity and originality. Spirited cook-offs took place in each city between three semi-finalists selected by Kikkoman.

Local media personalities, city officials and celebrities including San Francisco 49er, Brandon Moore and Captain Mark Hamilton from the US Coast Guard served as judges at the various cook-offs. The judges waited in eager anticipation as the semi-finalists showcased stunning recipe presentations for them to taste.

Firefighter Mariano Elias from Station 7 was named the winner for his "3rd Alarm Chicken Mix" recipe at the San Francisco event on June 27th. Kikkoman made a contribution to the San Francisco Firefighter's Toy Program in honor of Station 7 and awarded him a top-of-the-line four-burner gas grill, which he donated to his firehouse.

One month later on July 26, enthusiastic Union President Tom Thornberg from Firefighters' Local 82 acted as the emcee of the Minneapolis cook-off at the firefighters' annual picnic. Firefighter Linda Sone and Bobby Senkyr of Station 8 were named the winners for their recipe "Was Up Pine Kikkoman Pork." Representatives from the Hennepin County Medical Center Burn Unit and the Muscular Dystrophy Association accepted Kikkoman's donation in Station 8's name. Linda and Bobby also won a four-burner gas grill to take back to their firehouse.

On August 5 at the 18th Annual Taste in San Pedro event in Southern California, three Los Angeles finalists competed in front of a lively crowd. Frank Borden from the Los Angeles Firefighters' Historical Society and Assistant Chief Louis Roupoli provided entertaining commentary, while the semi-finalists cooked up their recipes on a Mother of All Barbecues (MOAB), a giant grilling vehicle created by the LAFD. Firefighter Stu Premmer's “Glazen Takumi BBQ” recipe took the top prize. Kikkoman made a contribution to the Los Angeles Fallen Firefighters' Memorial in honor of Stu's Station 58. A memorial paver recognizing Stu's efforts will be placed in the Memorial that is currently being built.

We want to thank and congratulate all the firefighters who took up this tasty challenge! And we invite you to check out one of the winning recipes below that will keep your home fires burning right into the fall!

3RD ALARM CHICKEN MIX
Yield: 6 servings
Created by San Francisco Firefighter Mariano Elias

1/2 cup Kikkoman Teriyaki Takumi Collection, Original
1/4 cup lime juice
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Mix ingredients. Marinate meat two and a half hours. Place on grill. Cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked. Serve and enjoy with favorite beverages!